Chapter 7

Ethan's POV

I woke up with my head pounding.

All I did was have a few drinks with Lily last night. How the hell did I end up this wrecked?

I dragged myself to the living room and stopped cold when I saw birthday decorations everywhere. I stared at them before it finally hit me—yesterday was Aria's birthday.

I rubbed my temples and called my Beta, James. "Pick out a few of the best moonstone necklaces and bring them over. Now."

But when the door opened, it wasn't James standing there. It was Lily.

The sight of her at my villa entrance made my headache even worse. "Why are you here?"

Her lips immediately curved into a pout, and her eyes filled with tears as that soft Omega scent started rolling off her in waves. "I just wanted to see you, so I volunteered to make the delivery. I'm sorry—if you're mad, I won't come again."

I caved instantly and pulled her close. "Hey, that's not what I meant. Don't cry, okay?"

But Lily kept sniffling, tears streaming down her cheeks as her pheromones grew thicker.

I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. Just to end this whole scene, I said, "Stop crying. Whatever you want, just name it. I'll give you anything."

That finally got her to stop. Her voice turned soft and sweet. "Anything?"

"Yeah, anything."

"How about I stay here for a few days?" Lily smiled. "We could spend more time together. Wouldn't that be nice?"

The smile on my face froze instantly.

I'd made a promise to Aria long ago that I would never bring anyone else into our home. It was the most basic respect in wolf culture, the last boundary a mate should never cross.

I was about to refuse when I heard footsteps on the stairs and one of the maids greeting someone.

"Good morning, Luna."

I stood up quickly, ready to explain. But Lily spoke first.

"Good morning, Luna." Lily held up the velvet box containing the moonstone necklace. "I was just delivering your birthday gift from Ethan." She paused, her voice sweet and casual. "Oh, and there have been some rogues spotted near my place lately. It's not safe, so the Alpha said I could stay here for a few days. I hope that's alright with you?"

I frowned at her boldness. I'd never agreed to that.

I braced myself for Aria's reaction. She was going to lose it—I knew her temper. And then I'd have to spend the rest of the day calming her down.

But that didn't happen.

"Sure. Make yourself at home." Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

Lily was about to say something else, but Aria's words stopped her cold.

I hadn't expected Aria to agree so easily either.

I was just about to speak when Lily suddenly wrapped herself around my arm. "Ethan, see? Even Luna's okay with it."

She pressed herself against me deliberately, and her pheromones seeped into my skin. The rejection I'd been about to voice got stuck in my throat.

I looked up at Aria and finally noticed something was off. Her eyes were too calm—flat and still. And that signature scent of hers had almost completely vanished, like she was deliberately erasing her own presence.

I frowned. "Aria, you really don't mind?"

Her gaze swept over me, then dropped to where Lily's hands clutched my arm, but her expression didn't waver. "There's nothing to mind. She can stay wherever she wants."

She signaled for the maid to bring breakfast, then walked back to her room without another word.

Something about her retreating figure sent an unexpected chill down my spine.

Lily was thrilled and immediately said she needed to go pack. After she left, the whole villa went silent—so quiet it made me uneasy.

I couldn't focus for the rest of the morning. I tried to handle the pack business, but nothing sank in.

My wolf paced restlessly inside me, growling low like he was warning me I'd missed something important.

I made up excuses to knock on Aria's door several times.

"Lily can be pretty loud. You sure you won't mind her moving in?"

Aria was organizing her book collection. She didn't even look up. "I won't."

I wasn't ready to give up. "If you're upset, just tell me. I won't let her move in."

"I'm not upset."

Frustration clawed at me, sharper than anything I'd felt before.

I walked into the room and shut the door behind me. I looked at her, really looked at her this time. "Aria, I've told you—those she-wolves out there don't mean anything. They're just distractions. They'll never compare to you. So stop bottling everything up."

She finally stopped what she was doing and turned to face me. Her eyes were calm, completely still. No anger, no jealousy, nothing. "I already told you. I really don't mind."

Then she pressed her fingers to her forehead like she was exhausted.

That look on her face made me drop the careless act I always wore. Panic hit me out of nowhere.

"Why don't you mind?" My voice came out tight. "You weren't like this before."

She used to snarl at me. She used to rake her claws down the walls. She used to flood the room with her Alpha dominance until every Omega who dared come near me ran. Those fights drove me crazy, but at least they proved she cared.

This cold, empty calm terrified me more than her rage ever did.

Aria glanced at me and smiled, soft and manageable. "Isn't this better? You always wanted me to be like this, didn't you?"

She gestured toward the door.

"Ethan, I'm a little tired and I need some rest."

And just like that, I was dismissed.